Neurodiversity: What It Is and Why Does It Matter
Whichever corner of the Internet you frequent, you have likely stumbled upon the term neurodiversity, neurodivergence or neurodivergent. Perhaps you have a vague idea of what these terms mean and how they differ, but want to learn more. Or you are hearing these words for the first time and are curious about their significance.
Either way you are in the right place. In today’s blog post we will talk about the terminology of neurodiversity and its meaning, both on a collective and on an individual level.
Neurodiversity and its paradigm
Neurodiversity is a simple enough concept. Breaking down the word into its two components - neuro and diversity - it describes the natural, biological variance in human brain structure and functioning. It means we as humans have brains that, while sharing many similarities, are different in how they perceive, process, store and retrieve information that comes into the brain via stimuli.
We can’t talk about neurodiversity without mentioning the neurodiversity paradigm and its antithesis - the pathology paradigm.
For many decades it has been assumed that there is one “normal” brain, one “normal” way of functioning as a human being. Anything that was outside of that “normal” has been pathologized, treated and even met with attempts at eradication (if you want to learn more about this, just google the terms Hans Aspergers and Nazi, or peruse this article here).
As we know from history one of the most used tools of oppression is dividing people into “us” and “them”, where the “us” begin to discriminate against the “them”. It was no different with brains; if one didn’t function according to society’s standards of normal, they were ostracized, neglected, shut away from the public or even murdered.
What I am describing above is the embodiment of a pathology paradigm, identifying one “right” way of being and labeling everything that falls outside of it as a disorder and disease.
In contrast, the neurodiversity paradigm embraces the natural variety of humans and their neurocognitive functioning, saying that there is no “normal” when it comes to brains. We are all different and are better for it, as diversity in every manner of existing - be it race, gender, sexuality, ability, body size, etc. - is a gift to our collective humanity and a source of beauty and creativity.
Neurodivergence - what does it mean?
Now that you know what neurodiversity stands for, let’s dive deeper into neurodivergence.
Neurodivergence or being neurodivergent (also frequently abbreviated as ND) means having a brain that functions differently from the perceived dominant norm. A brain of an ND person may take in stimuli differently, have different sensory experiences, or use their executive functioning in a manner that is divergent from the “norm”.
Examples of neurodivergence are:
Autism (also known as Autism Spectrum Disorder, or ASD. The word disorder implies a pathology, which as we discussed above is not actually the case with neurodivergence)
ADHD
Dyscalculia (difficulty with numbers and math)
Dysgraphia (difficulty with writing)
Dyslexia (difficulty with reading)
Dyspraxia (difficulty with motor skills and coordination)
Down Syndrome
Tourette’s Syndrome
Sensory processing disorders
The above list is not exhaustive, and many ND people experience things that are outside of predetermined diagnoses and outlined conditions.
Neurodivergent presentations
Neurodivergent people are not a monolith, so it is impossible to write a list of presentations that will be applicable to every ND person. One person may use motor skills in a manner different from the “norm”, while another person may be easily overwhelmed by sensory stimuli and need headphones in every environment.
ND presentations are further complicated by the fact that from early on society’s messaging to neurodivergent people is that there is something “wrong” with them, and that they need to adhere to the neurotypical (i.e. functioning in a way that aligns with the dominant narrative of “normal”) way of operating in the world. As a result, many ND people learn how to mask or camouflage their divergence in order to avoid stigma, oppression and discrimination.
It is vital to underscore that neurodivergence does not have a “look”. You will not be able to point to someone and say that one person is neurodivergent and one is not. It is important for all of us to begin discarding the idea of “normal” and “typical” and realize that the world is much more naturally diverse than we may think, and embrace the beauty of difference.
Why is this important?
Now that you have learned more about neurodiversity and neurodivergence, you may wonder why this is important to talk (or write) about.
The truth is, despite neurodiversity not being a new concept, it is still far from mainstream. Some places and people may be more aware and accepting of neurodivergence, while others continue to perpetuate the pathology paradigm.
Let me make this clear - the pathology paradigm actively harms neurodivergent people. It implies a deviance from the “norm” that is perceived as bad, wrong, unnatural. It forgoes accommodations that many ND people require in order to function in a world that is not made for them. It empowers medical professionals to “treat” neurodivergence as a disease instead of recognizing it as a natural variance in neurocognitive functioning. It also demands that we all act in one “correct” way, which in the end harms all of us, neurodivergent or not.
Our job as individuals is to change our systems and make the world a more welcoming place for humans of all kinds. You reading this blog post is one small step toward that, and for that I thank you.
Keep learning more, stay tuned for more blog posts on this topic and begin to dismantle the idea of “normal”, because “normal” is a myth.
As you begin (or continue) to explore what neurodivergence means, I encourage you to read Nick Walker’s piece that clearly outlines all of the terminology and its usage here.
As I continue to explore this topic on my blog, I will recommend books, articles or podcasts that are authored by ND people and encourage you to always consume information about a topic that is written by the people who have lived experience in it.
I hope you found this post helpful. If you have suggestions about what you want to hear about next, you are always welcome to send me a note here.